The French practice of medicine : [tr.] with occasional notes and observations illustrative of the treatment of diseases in the climate of North America / by Xavier Tessier.

  • Bégin, L. J. (Louis Jacques), 1793-1859.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The French practice of medicine : [tr.] with occasional notes and observations illustrative of the treatment of diseases in the climate of North America / by Xavier Tessier. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    tagcs of the latter formed one of the subjects on which onto** logists have indulged their romantic pen with the most com- placency. On enquiring more closely into the subject, it is found to amount to this simple question : whether we are to induce any change in the functions whilst the organs which execute them are affected. Now, it is evident that, in this shape, the problem cannot but be resolved in the affirmative. Again, in all diseases, the issue being uncertain, and the cri- sis producing sometimes very serious consequences, it would be dangerous, and consequently inhumane, to leave the body a prey to disorder and pain until the period of the crisis, whilst we possess more sure and speedy means for the recovery of health. I know of no other medicine than that which is con- stantly acting, but which varies the strength and nature of its remedies, according to the nature and intensity of the dis- ease. Sometimes this medicating action is violent and must be executed by means of the most energetic substances; at other times, it is, on the contrary, confined to removing the cause of the disease, to the judicious use of dietetic and other simple and gentle means; nut the object is constantly to in- duce a change in the actual condition of the patient. In this view, the physician endeavours to impart to the vital actions a rythme and a direction capable of annihilating the impulsion communicated by the disease. These principles are not in opposition with the precepts of those great physicians whose maxims have been sanctioned by experience. Thus, when in an acute disease, indications of a salutary effect are exhibited, or when the irritation is carried to the kidneys, the skin, or the lower extremity of the digestive canal, it is evident that a judicious physician will confine himself to assisting nature in that process. If the symptoms have no intensity, and if the patient is so situated that the disease can disappear spontaneously, we are un- doubtedly to abstain from the use of all energetic measures. Yet, in such a case, the physician is not inactive ; he observes, he operates, he modifies the organism, by directing and pro- moting the tendency to recovery. It is no longer necessary, at the present time, for the judi- cious physician to determine whether he is to perform the part of a spectator, or whether he is to be active in the treat- ment of diseases; but he has to decide how, and to what de- gree of energy, experience and judgment will direct him to act in the variety of cases. Here the problem presents itselC